28/10/2025
Adventure activities
Dune bashing: A thrilling ride over the desert dunes in a 4x4 vehicle with a trained, professional driver. This is a staple of almost all desert safari packages.
Sandboarding: Strap a board to your feet and glide down the steep sand dunes. Packages vary in whether sandboarding is included or available as an optional add-on.
Quad biking: For an extra charge, you can rent and ride a quad bike through the desert. A guide typically accompanies the group for safety, and some tour operators require a liability waiver to be signed.
Camel rides or trekking: Enjoy a short ride or a longer trek on the "ship of the desert" at a camel farm.
Cultural and entertainment activities
Bedouin camp experience: Relax at a traditional-style desert camp, often designed with authentic Bedouin flair. You will be offered Arabic coffee and dates upon arrival.
BBQ dinner: A buffet dinner, often with live grilling, is typically included in evening and overnight safaris. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options are available.
Live entertainment: Enjoy traditional performances under the stars. Popular shows include belly dancing, Tanoura dancing (a traditional Egyptian folklore dance), and fire shows.
Arabic costumes: Take memorable photos dressed in traditional Arabic clothing.
Henna painting: Women can have intricate henna designs painted on their hands by an expert artist.
Falcon photos: Pose for a picture with a falcon, the national bird of the UAE.
Sh**ha smoking: Try a traditional sh**ha (ho**ah) pipe at the desert camp.
Stargazing: After the entertainment winds down, you can sit back and observe the night sky in the serene desert setting.
Safari types
Evening safari: The most popular option, starting in the late afternoon to experience the sunset and continuing with dinner and entertainment at a desert camp.
Morning safari: A shorter option for those on a tight schedule. It includes dune bashing and sandboarding, but typically doesn't include the dinner or evening entertainment.
Overnight safari: A comprehensive experience that includes an evening safari with dinner and entertainment, followed by camping in a traditional Bedouin tent and breakfast the next morning.
Private and customized safaris: For those seeking a more exclusive experience, private tours can be booked with dedicated 4x4 vehicles and customized itineraries. This can also allow for a more relaxed pace for those who wish to skip high-adrenaline activities like dune bashing.
Liwa Desert safari: For a more intense and extensive desert experience, some operators offer tours to the Liwa Oasis in the Empty Quarter, which features some of the world's largest sand dunes.
